A Nobody to a Trillionaire: The $100 Trillion Vault Changed Everything-Chapter 32: The Aston Haven

The next Monday, Kieran did attend the stockholder’s meeting. As expected, the woman was as composed as ever with her fake liveliness. Not as though she had just ruined the life of someone else. But Kieran didn’t show any hard feelings either. He just did what Gregory had told him to do over the call after they left Aria’s funeral.

The man talked about the issue of the sudden rise in the empire’s market capitalisation. And laid emphasis on the same effect as Amanda did at the previous meeting. So, he advised Kieran not to hold back in doing what was necessary.

Most of the shareholders were on Mrs Jackson’s side; that was undeniable, but still, Kieran remains the leader of them all. So, whatever favouritism they might contain in their hearts, his voice was final.

So, on the meeting day, he walked confidently inside and without even heading over to his seat, he made the announcement. With Jaxon’s ever-efficient live camera rolling on one side, and Amanda shifting slides on the lit walls to match what he was saying, he proclaimed that part of Mrs Jackson’s shares would be frozen.

The percentage to be liquefied was yet uncertain, but whichever amount is left for her to remain a shareholder in the empire, it would be such that it won’t make the consumers think too highly of them.

People tried to argue with him, but instead of just commanding the process like a typical monopolistic CEO, he gave them a choice...

"Some of you who have respect left for Mrs Jackson can keep on doing that. So, to prevent part of her 20% shares from being watered down into the empire’s shares reserve, you can give up your own stocks instead.

Thus, she gets to keep all of hers and yours are frozen. Besides, neutralising the shares in the first place wasn’t for hate of the owner, but just because it destabilises the system over the quantity of it. So, step forward if you want to go down in her stead..."

Every one of them knew he was right in a sense, that they were freezing the stocks because of the overwhelming quantity, but... who wants to go bankrupt?

The moment their active shares are removed, they either stop making profits from the empire or the amount reduces. And such things are the quickest way to bankruptcy.

No one stepped forward, and so, 11% of Mrs Jackson’s shares were held in reserve.

After the meeting ended, Kieran crossed paths with the woman outside. He expected that too.

She had smirked and said, "That was incredible, Mr Holland. You’re finally breaking out of the shell and..." ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"Mrs Jackson," Kieran had cut in. Then he paced closer to her. He leaned in, whispering, "Don’t get me wrong today – I froze your shares just for the empire’s sake, but from now on, know I am watching you closely. I will, by myself, gather evidence to prove your dirty acts and bring you down for prosecution. You always like to play games, don’t you?"

Mrs Jackson chuckled. And she leaned in too, whispering back, "What’s this, Mr Holland? I feel scared." Then, smirking one more time, she declared, "I will be looking forward to that. If at the end of it, I really get prosecuted, your father is coming along too. And all he has ever acquired – money, islands, companies, and all of it – goes to the government. No more the wealthy Hollands, then."

"That... a threat? Eh... don’t make me laugh," Kieran scoffed. "Bring it on. I’m sick and tired of the money to begin with. So, you would literally be doing me a favour... Mrs Jackson."

Kieran then leaned back, and with a lasting grin, he walked past her. Jaxon paced closer to him with questions, while Amanda made a call.

As the person picked up, she said, "Stay at the restaurant. He’ll soon come to meet you guys there."

She walked closer to Kieran as well and whispered to him. He nodded in understanding.

Mrs Jackson sighed, watching Kieran walk away. She shook her head. "Tsk, tsk... what a poor kid. He has no idea what he’s stepping into. He had better not, though."

As she moved on with her bodyguards and assistant, who literally was the nurse from the hospital back then – the one that pushed her around in a wheelchair – stepped closer.

She reported, "The guys said the security around Zyn has got tight. Cars park next to hers wherever she goes, without her knowledge, so they’re guarding her in silence. Or perhaps, it’s other people who want to get back at Kieran Holland through her."

Mrs Jackson nodded her head. "No, they’re Kieran’s men. The relationship between her and that boy is somehow weak, but he still cares for her... So, he looks after her now that he knows we can track her down any time."

The P.A. sighed out loud. "Ah... beats me why you let him know about that in the first place. No one would have noticed if you hadn’t, so abducting her would have been more fun."

"Well, you’re right in a sense," the woman agreed. "But also, knowing we can get his friend anytime makes him more aware of our actions and has some anxiety in store. It’s crucial to cause him to chicken out at times, even if he appears all that confident now."

The P.A. nodded. At that moment, the automatic door of the lounge opened and they stepped out towards their waiting car. That was the same time Kieran’s escorts filled up in the limo too, and the last one about to get in was... Jaxon Austin.

Kieran Holland’s a reporter, and as the news says, his second childhood friend.

She grinned. And glanced at the old woman. "Well, if you fancy making him chicken out over friendship, then someone might be down on the list as well."

"Who?"

She tilted her head towards the limo.

The woman saw Jaxon get in, a slight smile playing around her lips. "Oh, is that so?"

Her P.A. bowed slightly, smiling.

***

Soon afterwards, the limo brought Kieran and others into the parking lot of a building in the western part of the city. He went into the next elevator with Jaxon and Amanda, to the top floor of the towering skyscraper.

They soon stepped through the subsequent aluminium door, bringing them to a wide restaurant space where different couches and tables spread out. All were vacant but one in the distance, where the two ladies sat apart from each other – Tiffany and Eve.

One of the restaurant staff bowed as the trio stepped in. "Welcome to the Axton Haven!"

As they stepped closer, Amanda told her, "Make sure nobody else comes in. And all the CCTVs off, please."

"We have had that done already, Miss Williams."

"Excellent," Amanda commended before assuring Kieran that everything was set.

Kieran and Jaxon went over to join the two ladies. They then sat on the opposite blue couch, with a sturdy crystalline table between them.

Kieran handshook both of them, and Jaxon only waved.

But Jaxon couldn’t stop talking about the beautiful view from up here. The walls were of curved glass, such that one could see the city view from inside. What else is there to expect from a five-star restaurant?

.... In a moment, Amanda appeared closer. Tiffany and Eve looked up at her as she began,

"Mr Holland is here for you both. He thinks... the guys who killed your friend..."

They swallowed.

"... might soon come for you too."

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